FDES & PEP: How can you promote the environmental performance of your products?
Environmental awareness is now shaping purchasing decisions, and the market increasingly demands tangible proof of environmental performance. In this context of growing transparency, manufacturers and industrial companies must be able to quantify and demonstrate the impacts of their products across their entire life cycle.
Knowing how to showcase this commitment is more than a marketing advantage is a powerful lever for competitiveness and a key to accessing many markets.
An increasing number of public and private tenders now include strict environmental criteria. FDES (Environmental and Health Product Declaration) and PEP (Environmental Product Profile) have therefore become essential tools to meet market expectations.
PINK Strategy offers a clear overview of these two “environmental passports.” You will discover what they are, why they have become indispensable, how to use them strategically, and the concrete benefits they can bring to your business.
What are FDES and PEP?
FDES and PEP are two official environmental transparency frameworks in France. These standardized and verified documents are based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and translate the full environmental and health impacts of a product from cradle to grave. To learn more, feel free to read our dedicated article on LCA.
What is the difference between FDES and PEP?
The difference lies in their scope of application:
- FDES is specifically dedicated to construction and finishing products, such as concrete, insulation materials, windows and doors, or floor coverings.
- PEP applies to electrical, electronic, and HVAC equipment, including photovoltaic modules, air-conditioning systems, and lighting products.
These documents are not simple technical datasheets. They transform complex environmental data into clear, comparable, reliable, and publicly available information. For architects, engineering consultancies, and procurement teams, they are essential tools for making informed decisions and designing more sustainable projects.
How to obtain an FDES or a PEP ?
The process generally involves the following steps:
- Conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of your product in accordance with applicable standards and the relevant Product Category Rules (PCR).
- Draft the declaration, following PCR requirements and the formats defined by verification programs (for example, the INIES association in France).
- Have the declaration verified by an independent, accredited third party to ensure objectivity and data reliability.
- Publish the FDES or PEP on a recognized database (the INIES database for FDES and the PEP Ecopassport® database for PEP), making it accessible to all professionals.
FDES and PEP are therefore much more than technical documents. They are true environmental passports. Based on the robust methodology of Life Cycle Assessment, they help ensure regulatory compliance, strengthen customer trust, and turn environmental commitments into a tangible competitive advantage.
In a forthcoming article, we will explain how EPDs fit into the international context and present the main organizations and verification programs structuring this global market.
Interested in assessing the environmental impact of your product? Contact our team of recognized experts in environmental certification for tailored support aligned with your strategic objectives.
How can FDES and PEP be used as strategic assets?
These declarations should be seen as powerful differentiation tools that allow you to:
- Anticipate market demand: act before your clients request them and proactively engage in the process to be ready when environmental requirements become mandatory.
- Communicate on your environmental performance: once your FDES or PEP is published, it can be promoted through your website, marketing materials, and sales teams, reinforcing your credibility.
Support eco-design strategies: the LCA conducted as part of the certification process is a valuable source of insights. It helps identify environmental hotspots in your product and improve them, reducing both environmental impacts and production costs.
How can FDES and PEP be used as strategic assets?
These declarations should be seen as powerful differentiation tools that allow you to:
- Anticipate market demand: act before your clients request them and proactively engage in the process to be ready when environmental requirements become mandatory.
- Communicate on your environmental performance: once your FDES or PEP is published, it can be promoted through your website, marketing materials, and sales teams, reinforcing your credibility.
Support eco-design strategies: the LCA conducted as part of the certification process is a valuable source of insights. It helps identify environmental hotspots in your product and improve them, reducing both environmental impacts and production costs.